In addition to the prohibition on material support to proscribed groups, sanctions programs imposed by the United Nations, the U.S. and the EU, among others, inhibits the delivery of lifesaving aid to many countries. These programs may prohibit the flow of goods without adequate protections for humanitarian action, or place restrictions on financial services that delay or prevent program funds from reaching programs. Examples of countries sanctioned by the U.S. include Cuba, Syria and North Korea, all of which experience humanitarian need.
Please also see our pages on Counter-terrorist Financing and Humanitarian Safeguards.
Featured Resources
Understanding OFAC’s 2023 Supplemental Guidance for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance Under the New & Amended Dec. 2022 General Licenses
On Feb. 27, 2023, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Supplemental Guidance for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance (“2023 Fact Sheet”) to update OFAC’s Guidance Related to the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance by
C&SN Op-Ed: Even the Treasury Department Admits Sanctions Don’t Work – Responsible Statecraft
Following U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's comments that U.S. sanctions regimes placed on Iran are not working, C&SN's Associate Director for Policy & Advocacy, Ashleigh Subramanian-Montgomery, underscores the ineffective track record of U.S. sanctions regimes in meeting their stated U.S. foreign policy objectives. She highlights the suffering U.S. sanctions impose on
C&SN Speaks at High-Level Civil Society Event at the United Nations
On Mar. 9, 2023, the Global Center on Cooperative Security hosted the event, “Civil Society Reflections on the 2023 Report of the Secretary-General on Activities of the United Nations System in Implementing the United Nations
C&SN Submits Input for UN Study: Counterterrorism Impacts on Civil Society
On Feb. 28, 2023, the Charity & Security Network (C&SN) submitted input to the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnuala D.
Webinar Report – “A Layered Disaster: Supporting Long Term Recovery in Turkey and Syria”
On Feb. 17, 2023, C&SN attended the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s webinar, “A Layered Disaster: Supporting long-term recovery in Turkey and Syria.” In light of the Turkey-Syria earthquake, the webinar discussed the impact on the
OFAC Issues General License 23 for Earthquake Relief in Syria
On Feb. 9, 2023 the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 23, to authorize transactions in support of aid and relief to Syria in the wake of the deadly